Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Scientist, Immunology

at Recursion

🏢 About Recursion

Recursion is a biotechnology company pioneering industrial-scale drug discovery through its unique combination of automated experimental biology and advanced AI. They're known for mapping complex biological data at scale to accelerate therapeutic development, particularly in areas like immunology where traditional methods are slow. Working here offers the chance to contribute to cutting-edge computational drug discovery while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams of biologists, data scientists, and engineers.

About This Role

This Senior Scientist role focuses on designing and executing complex in vitro assays using primary human immune cells and patient-derived tissues to validate targets, study mechanisms of action, and screen small molecules. You'll drive immunology projects from initial ideation through portfolio adoption, leveraging technologies like flow cytometry and high-content imaging. The position is particularly impactful because it directly contributes to Recursion's mission of accelerating drug discovery for gut inflammation and related immunological conditions.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve designing and optimizing in vitro assays using primary human immune cells, analyzing high-content imaging or flow cytometry data from ongoing experiments, and collaborating with computational biologists to integrate experimental findings with Recursion's platform data. You'd likely participate in project team meetings to advance immunology programs, review literature for new scientific developments, and potentially manage external collaborations or CRO interactions for specialized assays.

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🎯 Who Recursion Is Looking For

  • Ph.D. in Immunology or related field, or BSc/MSc with extensive pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience specifically with primary human immune cells and patient-derived tissues
  • Demonstrated expertise in designing, optimizing, and executing complex in vitro assays for target validation and small molecule screening in immunology contexts
  • Deep understanding of gut inflammation pathophysiology and familiarity with relevant translational models (both in vitro and in vivo)
  • Proven ability to lead scientific initiatives and manage external collaborations while staying current with immunology research developments

📝 Tips for Applying to Recursion

1

Quantify your experience with primary human immune cells and patient-derived tissues - specify cell types, assay formats, and throughput you've worked with

2

Highlight specific experience with gut inflammation models and how you've connected in vitro findings to translational relevance

3

Demonstrate familiarity with Recursion's platform by mentioning how your assay development experience could integrate with their automated biology and AI approach

4

Provide concrete examples of projects you've driven from ideation to portfolio adoption in previous roles

5

Showcase your experience with both flow cytometry and high-content imaging, specifying platforms and analysis methods you've used

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your hands-on experience designing and optimizing in vitro assays with primary human immune cells and patient-derived tissues', "Specific knowledge of gut inflammation biology and how you've applied this to drug discovery programs", 'Examples of leading scientific initiatives or managing collaborations that advanced early drug discovery projects', "How your approach to assay development aligns with Recursion's data-rich, platform-driven discovery philosophy"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Recursion's specific immunology programs and pipeline - particularly their focus on inflammation and autoimmune diseases
  • → Their proprietary OS (Operational System) and how it integrates automated biology with AI for drug discovery
  • → Recent publications or presentations by Recursion scientists in immunology or related fields
  • → Their collaborations and partnerships in the immunology space, particularly in the UK/European context

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through your experience designing and troubleshooting a complex in vitro assay using primary human immune cells
2 How would you approach validating a novel target in gut inflammation using patient-derived tissues?
3 Describe your experience integrating flow cytometry and high-content imaging data to answer mechanistic questions
4 How have you managed external collaborations or CRO relationships in previous drug discovery programs?
5 What recent developments in immunology research are most relevant to Recursion's focus areas, and how would you apply them?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague descriptions of assay experience without specifying cell types, readouts, or validation approaches
  • Focusing only on academic research without connecting to pharmaceutical/biotech drug discovery context
  • Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of gut inflammation biology and relevant models

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Recursion!

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